This week the Victa Western Suburbs Magpies played at home across Lidcombe and Campbelltown against the North Sydney Bears. Read our short reviews of the three Magpies matches of the weekend, and browse our match day gallery courtesy of Warren Gannon Photography.
Round 4 - NSW Knock-on Effect Cup @ Lidcombe Oval - Saturday March 25
Western Suburbs Magpies hosted the North Sydney Bears at Lidcombe Oval for the first time in 37 years on Saturday, playing off for the Jason Taylor Cup. The Magpies starting side was reshuffled to accomodate a number of NRL stars, including names like Daine Laurie, David Nofoaluma, Jake Simpkin, Starford To'a and Joe Ofahengaue. While we opened the scoring through an Israel Ogden try in the third minute (our Masterton Magic Moment for the day), North Sydney went on to cross for six unanswered tries. While the Magpies rallied at the end of the game through tries to Triston Reilly, Israel Ogden and Daine Laurie, it was too little too late, and the Bears put one hand on the Jason Taylor Cup for 2023.
The Victa NSW KOE Cup Magpies play at home at Lidcombe Oval next week against the top of the table New Zealand Warriors, and will look to retain a winning record after two losses in a row.
Round 8 - Junior Representatives (SG Ball and Harold-Matthews Cup) @ Campbelltown Sports Stadium
After a few set backs in recent weeks, our Junior Representative squads bounced back to put two big wins on the board against the North Sydney Bears in Campbelltown. In the Harold-Matthews match, we walked away with a 24-10 win sealed by a double by Cooper Clarke. Just afterwards, SG Ball kept the tries coming, crossing the line ten times for a dominant 50-24 victory.
Next week, the SG Ball squad travels to New Zealand to take on the Warriors in the final junior rep round of 2023. Currently sitting in fifth place, they'll be shooting for a win to cement their place in the finals, with a spot in the Top 4 up for grabs depending on other results. Meanwhile, our Harold-Matthews side has the benefit of a bye this week. Sitting in 10th place on the ladder with a competitive for and against, they'll be relying on a Balmain Tigers and/or South Sydney Rabbitohs loss to make the finals.
